February 11, 2015
Seniors: “All Out to Advise Reps Feb 16-20!”
All over the nation, seniors are mobilizing to talk to their political representatives during the congressional recess February 16-20. Texans will do even more as we sign up to see both federal and state officeholders.
Not Sure Who Represents You?
The web site “Who Represents Me” — www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ tells us all we need to know. Our voter registration card also lists our districts and precincts.
Congressmen await your call!
The national Alliance for Retired Americans is scrambling all over the U.S. to get seniors into the offices of congresspersons. The issues have never been bigger: Protecting Social Security, pensions, and health care. A special committee in Congress, right now, is planning ways to reduce Social Security benefits, raise the retirement age, and/or divide us as to who gets Social Security and who doesn’t. They have a plan to privatize Medicare. Underfunded pensions are rampant everywhere, and Congress has been letting corporations skate on their pension obligations!
Seniors are concerned about the coming unfair trade bill known as “Trans-Pacific Partnership” and the “Fast Track” method of approving it. Big Pharma is among the corporations shaping the legislation, and they want high drug prices!
Seniors should call their congresspersons for appointments. Please let Judy Bryant, judy4tara@aol.com, know the time and place of your appointments. Her phone number is 214-729-0063. We want to help!
State Legislators targeted February 17!
Make your plans to appear at the state capitol in Austin on February 17. It’s a good idea to call your state legislator for an appointment. Activities begin with at a rally on the south steps of the capitol at 10:30AM. After that, we go in for visits. Be prepared to talk about the desperate underfunding of state pensions and the need for expansion of Medicaid to provide insurance coverage for the poorest Texans. Judy Bryant has organizing a full 56-seat bus from Dallas. It departs at 6:30 AM from the APWU Hall, 2010 Postal Way, Dallas 75212. People have paid a $25 deposit with checks made out to “Texas Alliance for Retired Americans.” Passengers will get their check back when they sit down on the bus, and they’ll get a free meal in Austin. Judy is also helping organize transportation from other Texas cities.
Get With Us!
The Texas Alliance has, or is working on, affiliates in every Texas city. The only way to meet the challenges is to organize! Here are a few activities in the coming week:
Corpus Christi Chapter to Meet
The Corpus Christi Chapter of the Texas Alliance for Retired Americans, like all our chapters, welcomes everybody. Participants don’t even have to be seniors! Next meeting at 9:30AM at the American Federation of Teacher’s hall
Austinites invited
I will be in Austin at 1:30 PM on Saturday, February 14 for lunch at Mother’s Restaurant, 4215 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751-4341. Congratulate the newly-retired dynamo Glenn Scott with me and make plans for more actions. Everybody invited. Judy Bryant and I meet with activists everywhere we can get invited!
Fort Worth Chapter Meets
Jim Rivers convenes the Fort Worth Chapter at 12:30PM every third Wednesday, February 18, at Furr’s Buffet, 3233 Alta Mere Drive in Ft Worth, 76116. Last month, the chapter hosted a Speakout for Democracy and made friends with several new activists.
It may look like work, but it’s really mostly fun!
–-Gene Lantz, President
PLEASE contribute any amount, or make a monthly pledge, to Texas Alliance for Retired Americans by clicking here.
Sign our petition to Dallas Mayor Rawlings asking him to stop pushing to privatize the school district.
We’re also still gathering petitions for health care implementation in Texas. Sign that petition at:
http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4055/c/1254/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4684
Contact Gene Lantz at labordallas@sbcglobal.net
Judy Bryant at 214-729-0063
facebook: Texas Alliance for Retired Americans
Twitter: @Tx4TARA